Group in special meetings at Vatican over sexual abuse history

(ANSA) - Rome, February 6 - A scandal-rocked Catholic
movement close to Pope John Paul II, which was founded by a
child sex abuser, expressed "deep sorrow" Thursday for the abuse
inflicted on its victims.

The Legionaries of Christ were put under Vatican oversight
in 2010 after its founder, Mexican priest Marcial Maciel, was
removed from leadership for inflicting decades of sexual abuse
on boys and fathering several children, two of whom he also
abused.
Church probes have since confirmed nine other priests in
the organization sexually abused children and at least 10 more
are still under investigation.

The scandal tainted the pontificate of John Paul, a friend
of the charismatic founder who publicly endorsed the
Legionaries, sparking accusations of ignoring public reports as
early as the 1990s of abuse that began in the 1980s.

The group has been in reform meetings at the Vatican, its
first since it was put under the Vatican's oversight.

"We want to express our deep sorrow for the abuse of
seminarians, minors, immoral acts committed on men and women,
the arbitrary use of its authority and property, for the
enormous consumption of drugs," the general chapter of the
Legionaries of Christ said in a statement with reference to its
founder, who died in 2008.

The group said it rejects his immorality and expressed
"deep sadness" at the initial refusal to accept the testimony of
Maciel's victims.
"We ask forgiveness for these deficiencies that have
increased the pain and bewilderment of many," they said, adding
their thanks that former pope Benedict XVI saved the
organization.

Maciel was stripped of his leadership role and ordered to a
life of prayer and penitence by John Paul's successor Benedict
XVI in 2006.

Known to encourage recruitment of priests and new
followers, the Legionaries count over 950 priests and 70,000 lay
members worldwide, primarily in Latin America, the home of
Argentine Pope Francis.